Probe, package probe, external device connector, and biofeedback device

ABSTRACT

A probe includes an insertion portion insertable into a body organ, a projecting portion being exposed to an outside of a body after the insertion portion is inserted into the body organ, a device mounting area onto which an external-device coupler is removably mountable, and sensing electrodes provided on the insertion portion and the device mounting area. When the insertion portion is inserted into the body organ, the sensing electrodes detect a biosignal and become conductive with coupling electrodes of the external-device coupler mounted onto the device mounting area. The probe is an electromyograph probe that detects a biosignal measurable by an electromyograph. The insertion portion and the projecting portion of the probe may be integrated or separate from each other. Both of the insertion portion and the projecting portion or only the insertion portion may be disposable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a probe that is to be inserted into an anus, a woman□s vagina, or other measurement site and used for measurement of an action potential (myopotential) of pelvic floor muscles (an external anal sphincter and an internal anal sphincter), a coupling and decoupling structure for a probe and an external-device coupler that enables coupling of an external device (for example, an electromyograph) to the probe, and a biofeedback device that generates perceivable information based on a biosignal detected by the probe.

BACKGROUND ART

An electromyograph is a device (measurement device) that detects a biosignal (body signal) resulting from a muscle activity of, for example, an external anal sphincter or pelvic floor muscles to measure a muscle strength, a change in muscle strength, or the like (perform muscle strength measurement) of the external anal sphincter or the pelvic floor muscles so as to strengthen the muscle or treat and prevent urine leakage or incontinence while checking the measured biosignal. An electromyograph probe, which is inserted into a measurement site (hereinafter referred to as “body organ”) such as an anus or a vagina, is used to detect a biosignal. Electromyograph probes (hereinafter referred to as “probes”) are commercially available, and have various shapes (Non Patent Literatures 1 to 7).

A representative one of probes described in Non Patent Literatures 1 to 7 mainly includes, as illustrated in FIG. 15, an insertion portion A to be inserted into a body organ, and two electrodes C. The electrodes C are provided on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft B of the insertion portion A so as to be opposed to each other. When the insertion portion A is inserted into a body organ in such a manner that the entire shaft B is fully placed inside the body organ, both the electrodes C are brought into contact with, for example, the external anal sphincter or the pelvic floor muscles to detect a biosignal from the muscles described above. The biosignal detected by the two electrodes C is transmitted to a signal processing unit D of an electromyograph, and a potential difference from reference electrodes attached at suitable positions on a surface of the body is measured.

The probe is inserted into a body organ. Thus, from a hygienic viewpoint, the probe is generally discarded after each use. However, when each probe is discarded after single use, cost increases for the following reasons. Each probe is as expensive as several thousand Japanese yen. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 15, a lead wire (cable) E led out from the signal processing unit D of the electromyograph is directly attached (fixed) inside a handle F of the probe. Further, each of the insertion portion A, the electrodes C, and the lead wire E has a mechanical strength that allows repeated use. Thus, it is regrettable to discard the above-mentioned components after single use. Under current conditions, the probe is disinfected or sterilized after each use for subsequent use. However, such use of the probe may lead to hygienic problems, and users may be reluctant to use the probe in the above-mentioned manner.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

[NPL 1] http://www.medicalexpo.com/ja/prod/thought-technology/product-70321-739531.html

[NPL 2] https://www.biostim.no/produkt/rektal-sensor-u-control-bekkenbunnopptrener/

[NPL 3] http://www.medicalexpo.it/prod/beacmed/product-67740-600829.html

[NPL 4] https://beckenboden-trainer.de/sonden/vaginalsonden/32/vaginalsonde-bei-inkontinenz.-beckenbodenmuskulatur

[NPL 5] https://ja.aliexpress.com/store/product/Super-Slim-Vaginal-or-Anal-Probe-for-EMG-STIM-EMS-Biofeedback-EMG-TENS-PELVIC-FLOOR-EXERCISERS/234181_32414048195.html

[NPL 6] https://www.advantagemedical.com/products/pathway-rectal-sensor-for-emg-and-e-stim/

[NPL 7] https://medicalquip.com/product/rectal-sensor-with-stim/

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a probe that is easy to use and hygienic, an external-device coupler that enables easy coupling of an external device to the probe, and a biofeedback device that perceptualizes a biosignal detected by the probe.

Solution to Problem

[Probe]

According to the present invention, there is provided a probe including an insertion portion insertable into a body through an anus or a vagina and a projecting portion that is exposed to an outside of the body after the insertion portion is inserted into the body. The probe is an integrated probe in which the insertion portion and the projecting portion are continuous or a disassemblable probe in which the insertion portion and the projecting portion are separably coupled together. When the insertion portion and the projecting portion are integrated, the whole probe is made of a disposable material. When the insertion portion and the projecting portion are separable, at least the insertion portion is made of a disposable material. The insertion portion has sensing electrodes provided on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion. When the insertion portion is inserted into the body through the anus or the vagina, the sensing electrodes detect a biosignal being an action potential of a pelvic floor muscle inside the body. The projecting portion has a device mounting area that is electrically conductive with the sensing electrodes. The external-device coupler is couplable to and decouplable from the device mounting area. The sensing electrodes and an external device become electrically conductive with each other through the coupling of the external-device coupler to the device mounting area. The electrical conduction is interrupted through the decoupling of the external-device coupler from the device mounting area.

According to another present invention, there is provided the probe includes a main body portion having the insertion portion and the projecting portion, and the device mounting area. The main body portion includes two fitting grooves. The probe includes two mounted members separate from the main body portion. Each of the two mounted members includes an insertion-portion electrode and a projecting-portion electrode as a sensing electrode. The device mounting area is formed by fitting the two mounted members into the fitting grooves. The insertion-portion electrode and the projecting-portion electrode are exposed on the mounted members.

[Coupling and Decoupling Structure for Probe and External-Device Coupler]

According to the present invention, there is provided a coupling and decoupling structure for a probe to be inserted into a body to obtain a biosignal and an external-device coupler coupling of an external device to process a biosignal. The probe is the probe of any one of the present inventions. The device mounting area of the probe includes projecting-portion electrodes exposed on an outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion of the probe. The projecting-portion electrodes are conductively connected to the insertion-portion electrodes of the probe. The external-device coupler includes coupling electrodes. When the device mounting area is clamped and held in the external-device coupler, the device mounting area and the external-device coupler are coupled to each other to bring the projecting-portion electrodes and the coupling electrodes into an electrically conductive state, and when the device mounting area is released from the external-device coupler, the device mounting area is decoupled from the external-device coupler to cancel the conductive state.

[Biofeedback Device]

According to the present invention, there is provided a biofeedback device for perceptualizing a biosignal detected by sensing electrodes of a probe inserted into a body through an external device. The probe is the probe of any one of the present inventions. When the insertion portion of the probe is inserted into the body through the anus or the vagina, the sensing electrodes formed on the insertion portion obtain the biosignal. The external device includes a biosignal processing unit and a display unit. The biosignal obtained by the sensing electrodes is transmitted to the biosignal processing unit of the external device via an external-device coupler coupled onto the device mounting area of the probe. The biosignal processing unit is configured to process the biosignal transmitted via the external-device coupler into a perceivable signal, and the display unit is configured to perceivably display the perceivable signal processed in the biosignal processing unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The probe according to the present invention has the following effects.

1. When the insertion portion is inserted into a body organ, the sensing electrodes detect the biosignal.

2. When the external-device coupler is mounted onto the device mounting area, the biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes can be transmitted to the external device.

3. When a separation sheet is mounted around the projecting portion, the separation sheet stops flow of a leakage from a body organ and prevents the leakage from coming into contact with the projecting portion. Thus, contact of a hand with the leakage is prevented, and thus the probe is hygienic.

When a part of the package of the packaged probe according to the present invention is cut away to open the package, the insertion portion or the projecting portion is exposed to an outside of the package. The insertion portion or the projecting portion, which remains in the package, is held with a hand together with the package, and thus can be inserted into and removed from a body organ without being directly touched by a hand. Thus, the packaged probe is hygienic.

The external-device coupler according to the present invention enables easy connecting of the external device to the probe. Thus, the biosignal detected by the probe can be reliably transmitted to the external device.

The biofeedback device according to the present invention enables the biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes of the probe to be checked in the form of the perceivable information. Thus, the biofeedback device can be effectively used for biofeedback evaluations and treatments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of an example of a probe according to the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view for illustrating a state in which a separation sheet is mounted around a base of the probe.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for illustrating a state in which the probe according to the present invention is inserted into a body organ and the separation sheet is placed so as to be in contact with buttocks.

FIG. 3(a), FIG. 3(b), FIG. 3(c), and FIG. 3(d) are explanatory views for illustrating a case in which an electromyograph is coupled to a projecting portion of the probe according to the present invention with an external-device coupler.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for illustrating a case in which the external-device coupler to be coupled to the probe according to the present invention is a clip.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of another example of the probe and the external-device coupler according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for illustrating mounting of the probe and the external-device coupler illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7(a) is an explanatory view of the external-device coupler before insertion of an extension arm member, and FIG. 7(b) is an explanatory view of the external-device coupler after the insertion of the extension arm member.

FIG. 8(a) is a plan view of the external-device coupler of FIG. 5, FIG. 8(b) is an explanatory side view for illustrating a case in which the external-device coupler of FIG. 5 is mounted to the probe, FIG. 8(c) is a front view of a coupler main body of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8(d) is a plan view of the separation sheet.

FIG. 9(a) is an explanatory view of a packaged probe in the present application, and FIG. 9(b) is an explanatory view for illustrating a state in which an upper half of a package illustrated in FIG. 9(a) is cut away.

FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of another example of the probe according to the present invention, and FIG. 10(b) is an explanatory view for illustrating coupling between the insertion portion and the external-device coupler illustrated in FIG. 10(a).

FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view for illustrating an example in which a probe is formed of a plurality of members, and FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of the probe of FIG. 11(a) when viewed from a different angle.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view for illustrating a state in which the probe illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) is assembled.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory block diagram of a signal processing unit of an electromyograph.

FIG. 14(a) is a schematic view of a biofeedback device according to the present invention, and FIG. 14(b) is an explanatory view for illustrating an evaluation and a treatment using the biofeedback device.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a related-art probe.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT First Embodiment of Integrated Probe

As an example of the present invention, a probe 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1(a). The probe 1 is an integrated probe including an insertion portion 2 and a projecting portion 3 that are continuous with each other. The insertion portion 2 is located on a front end side of one base 4 having a rod-like or cylindrical shape, and the projecting portion 3 is located on a rear end side thereof. A device mounting area Z (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is defined on a rear end side of the projecting portion 3.

The insertion portion 2 includes an expanded portion 5 provided on the front end side of the base 4 and part of the base 4, which is located on a side closer to a root of the expanded portion 5. The insertion portion 2 is to be inserted into a body organ. The expanded portion 5 is tapered for easy insertion into a body organ, and is also formed thicker than the projecting portion 3 for prevention of unintended removal from the body organ. A length, a diameter, a shape, and other dimensions of the insertion portion 2 may be suitably designed. The above-mentioned dimensions and shape may be the same as or different from those of existing anal or vaginal probes.

The insertion portion 2 can be inserted into a body organ. The device mounting area Z of the projecting portion 3 is designed to be exposed to an outside of a body after the insertion portion 2 is inserted into a body organ (FIG. 2). A length, a diameter, a shape, and other dimensions of the projecting portion 3 may be suitably designed. The above-mentioned dimensions and shape may be the same as or different from those of existing anal or vaginal probes.

[Sensing Electrodes]

Sensing electrodes 6 (FIG. 1(a)) are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the base 4. Two sensing electrodes 6 (6X and 6Y) are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the base 4 so as to be opposed to each other. The two sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y are each, for example, an electroconductive thin metal plate, metal film, or thin metal film. When the insertion portion 2 is inserted into a body organ, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y are brought into contact with a muscle (hereinafter referred to as “body-organ muscle”) such as an external anal sphincter or pelvic floor muscles of the body organ to detect a biosignal. When the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y are thin metal plates or metal films, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y can be fixed onto an outer peripheral surface of the base 4. A suitable method may be used as fixing means. When thin metal films are used as the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y, the thin films may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 4 by means such as adhesion, spraying, or coating. A length and a width of each of the two sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y are set to allow the insertion portion 2 to be brought into contact with a body-organ muscle when the insertion portion 2 is inserted into a body organ. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, The length of the two sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y is the length from the insertion portion 2 to the device mounting area Z of the projecting portion 3. When an external-device coupler 8 (FIG. 2) is mounted onto the device mounting area Z of the projecting portion 3 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), electrodes (coupling electrodes 13X and 13Y: FIG. 3(a)) of the external-device coupler 8 are brought into contact with the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y on an outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion 3 so as to be electrically conductive therewith. Hereinafter, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y located at the insertion portion 2 of the probe 1 are referred to as □insertion-portion electrodes 6Xa and 6Ya□, and the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y located at the projecting portion 3 of the probe 1 are referred to as □projecting-portion electrodes 6Xb and 6Yb□.

First Embodiment of External-Device Coupler

The external-device coupler (hereinafter simply referred to as “coupler”) 8 is electrically connected to a signal processing unit 10 of an external device 7 via a lead wire 9 (FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the external device 7 is an electromyograph. However, the electromyograph is merely an example. In the present invention, any other devices that are capable of generating perceivable information (perceivable signal) to be used for biofeedback based on the biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes may be used as the external device 7.

Various structures and mechanisms are conceivable for the coupler 8. As an example, the coupler 8 illustrated in FIG. 3(a) to FIG. 3(d) includes a male coupler member 11 and a female coupler member 12, which can removably mate to each other. The male coupler member 11 includes male electrodes (coupling electrodes) 13 (13X and 13Y: FIG. 3(a)). The female coupler member 12 has two insertion holes 14 (14X and 14Y: FIG. 3(d)) into which the male electrodes (coupling electrodes) 13X and 13Y are insertable. The two male electrodes (coupling electrodes) 13X and 13Y are parallel in a longitudinal direction. The two insertion holes 14X and 14Y are formed so as to be parallel on an inlet side and become closer to each other in a depth direction. With this structure, when the two male electrodes (coupling electrodes) 13X and 13Y are inserted into the two insertion holes 14X and 14Y, the male electrodes (coupling electrodes) 13X and 13Y are brought closer to each other and brought into pressure-contact with the sensing electrodes (projecting-portion electrodes) 6Xb and 6Yb of the probe 1. As a result, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y become conductive with the male electrodes (coupling electrodes) 13X and 13Y of the coupler 8 and the signal processing unit 10 via the lead wire 9, allowing the biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y to be transmitted to the signal processing unit 10. Protrusions 15 are formed on inner surfaces of the male coupler member 11 and the female coupler member 12 illustrated in FIG. 3(d), respectively. When the inner surfaces of the male coupler member 11 and the female coupler member 12 are brought into abutment against the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion 3 as illustrated in FIG. 3(c), the protrusions 15 are inserted into recessed portions 16 (FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 3(d)) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion 3 to thereby prevent rotation of the male coupler member 11 and the female coupler member 12 about an axis of the projecting portion 3. The signal processing unit 10 is configured to process the biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes 6Xa and 6Ya on the insertion portion 2.

Second Embodiment of External-Device Coupler

Another example of the coupler 8 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The coupler 8 is a clip. The clip can be opened and closed like a general-purpose clothespin. The coupler 8 includes clamping electrodes (coupling electrodes) 17 (17X and 17Y) provided on inner surfaces at distal ends of the coupler 8, and operating portions 18X and 18Y on a rear side. In FIG. 4, illustration is given of a state in which the two clamping electrodes (coupling electrodes) 17X and 17Y are closed to clamp and hold the projecting-portion electrodes 6Xb and 6Yb of the probe 1. When the two operating portions 18X and 18Y are moved closer to each other in directions indicated by arrows “a”, the distal ends are opened in directions indicated by arrows “b” to release the clamping. When the probe 1 is clamped and held, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y become electrically conductive with the clamping electrodes (coupling electrodes) 17X and 17Y and the signal processing unit 10 via the lead wire 9. When the clamping is released, the conduction is interrupted.

Second Embodiment of Integrated Probe

Another example of the probe 1 according to the present invention, which is illustrated in FIG. 5, is also an integrated probe including the insertion portion 2 and the projecting portion 3 that are continuous with each other. The probe 1 also includes the two sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y that are arranged on the base 4 so as to be opposed to each other. Two electrode protrusions 20 (20X and 20Y) are formed in a protruding manner on upper parts of the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y in FIG. 5, respectively. One electrode protrusion 20X is illustrated in FIG. 5. However, another electrode protrusion 20Y is located on a back side of the electrode protrusion 20X, and thus is not illustrated in FIG. 5. An end of the base 4 is divided into two parts by a division groove 21, and the two parts can be horizontally opened and closed. An upper groove 22 having a longitudinally elongated shape and a lower groove 23 having a horizontally elongated shape are formed below the division groove 21 to pass through the base 4 in a width direction. Rotation stopping protrusions 24 are formed in a protruding manner on the outer peripheral surface of the base 4 so as to be adjacent to the upper groove 22 and the lower groove 23.

The coupler 8 illustrated in FIG. 5, which is to be coupled to the probe 1, includes a coupler main body 25 and an extension arm member 26 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The coupler main body 25 has an ellipsoidal plate-like shape with a large thickness, and has a fitting hole 27 and a fitting recessed portion 28. The fitting hole 27 is formed in a center of the coupler main body 25 in a longitudinal direction of the ellipsoidal shape of the coupler 8 to vertically pass through the coupler main body 25. The fitting recessed portion 28 which is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the coupler 8 is formed on a distal end side of the fitting hole 27. The fitting recessed portion 28 has an inner side (left side) communicating with the fitting hole 27 and has an open distal end (right end) on an outer peripheral surface of a distal end of the coupler main body 25. The coupler main body 25 has a fitting plate 29 in a center in a thickness direction of the coupler main body 25. A retaining protrusion 30 is formed at a distal end of the fitting plate 29 so as to protrude upward. Two electrode protrusions (coupling electrodes) 31 (31X and 31Y) are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 27 so as to be opposed to each other. The lead wire 9 of the external device is directly connected to the electrode protrusions (coupling electrodes) 31X and 31Y. The lead wire 9 is led out from a rear end of the coupler main body 25. A rotation stopper portion 32 (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) having a recessed shape is also formed in the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 27. The rotation stopper portion 32 may have a protruding shape.

In order to prevent upside-down insertion of the probe 1 into the fitting hole 27, a regulating protrusion 27 a may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 27 so as to be closer to one opening of the fitting hole 27 as illustrated in FIG. 7(a). When the regulating protrusion 27 a is formed, the probe 1 can be inserted from a front side or a back side (any one of the sides) of the fitting hole 27. However, the probe 1 cannot be inserted from another one of the sides. This structure prevents insertion of the probe 1 into the fitting hole 27 with an inappropriate orientation. When the probe 1 is inserted with a correct orientation, a distal end of the probe 1 abuts against the regulating protrusion 27 a to thereby position the upper groove 22 of the probe 1 at a predetermined position.

The extension arm member 26 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes an upper plate 33, a lower plate 34, and a fitting groove 35 defined between the upper plate 33 and the lower plate 34. The fitting groove 35 has an open left end, and has a horizontally elongated U-like shape in side view. A push-in protrusion 36 protrudes forward from a distal end of the upper plate 33. A stopper 37 protrudes downward from the distal end of the upper plate 33. The extension arm member 26 can reciprocally slide in directions indicated by arrows “a” and “b” in FIG. 6. When the extension arm member 26 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow “a” as illustrated in FIG. 6, the fitting plate 29 of the fitting recessed portion 28 is fitted to the fitting groove 35, and the extension arm member 26 is fitted over the fitting plate 29. When the extension arm member 26 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow “b” as illustrated in FIG. 6, the stopper 37 is caught by the retaining protrusion 30 to retain the extension arm member 26 in the fitting recessed portion 28.

The extension arm member 26 illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is inserted and placed in the coupler main body 25 as illustrated in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), and can reciprocally slide in directions indicated by arrows X and Y. In FIG. 7(a), the extension arm member 26 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow X and is pulled out from the coupler main body 25 to expose the fitting hole 27. In FIG. 7(b), after a separation sheet 50 is placed and the probe 1 is inserted into the fitting hole 27, the extension arm member 26 is pushed into the direction indicated by the arrow Y to fix the probe 1 in the fitting hole 27. Under this fixed state, the projecting-portion electrodes 6Xb and 6Yb (FIG. 1(a), FIG. 7(a), and FIG. 7(b)) of the probe 1 are held in contact with the electrode protrusions (coupling electrodes) 31X and 31Y (FIG. 6) of the coupler 8 to achieve a conductive state.

(Example of Use of External-Device Coupler)

The probe 1 is inserted into the fitting hole 27 (FIG. 5 to FIG. 7(a)) of the coupler 8 as illustrated in FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b). The projecting portion 3 of the probe 1 is inserted vertically into the fitting hole 27 of the coupler main body 25. At this time, one of the rotation stopping protrusion 24 (FIG. 6) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 4 of the probe 1 is fitted into the rotation stopper portion 32 (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) formed in the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 27 to thereby prevent spinning of the probe 1. Under this state, the extension arm member 26 is pushed into the fitting recessed portion 28 of the coupler main body 25 to insert the push-in protrusion 36 of the extension arm member 26 into the upper groove 22 (FIG. 6) formed in a peripheral surface of the base 4 of the probe 1 as illustrated in FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b). As a result, two separate upper ends of the base 4 are forced apart from each other in the horizontal direction to push the electrode protrusions (projecting-portion electrodes) 20X and 20Y formed on the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y (FIG. 4) of the probe 1 (20Y is not illustrated because 20Y is formed on the sensing electrode 6Y on the side opposite to 20X) against the electrode protrusions (coupling electrodes) 31X and 31Y (FIG. 6) formed inside the fitting hole 27 to achieve contact therebetween. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 8(b), the lower plate 34 of the extension arm member 26 is inserted into the lower groove 23 of the base 4 to ensure the contact between the electrode protrusions (projecting-portion electrodes) 20X and 20Y and the electrode protrusions (coupling electrodes) 31X and 31Y formed inside the fitting hole 27 of the coupler 8. This coupling enables the electrode protrusions (projecting-portion electrodes) 20X and 20Y formed on the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y to become conductive with the coupling electrodes 31X and 31Y formed inside the fitting hole 27 and the signal processing unit 10 via the lead wire 9. As a result, the biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y is transmitted to the signal processing unit 10.

Embodiment of Disassemblable Probe

Another example of the probe 1 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b). The probe 1 is a disassemblable probe in which the insertion portion 2 and the projecting portion 3 can be separated from each other at a suitable position on the base 4 having a rod-like or cylindrical shape in a longitudinal direction of the probe 1. Basic shapes of the insertion portion 2 and the projecting portion 3 are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 1(a). It is preferred that the insertion portion 2 and the projecting portion 3 have a coupling and decoupling structure (coupling and decoupling mechanism) that enables the projecting portion 3 to be separated from the insertion portion 2 by a single operation without the insertion portion 2 being touched by a hand. As an example, the probe 1 illustrated in FIG. 10(b) includes a small-diameter portion 40 at one longitudinal end of the projecting portion 3. The small-diameter portion 40 can be press-fitted into an internal hole 41 of the insertion portion 2 to achieve coupling. When the insertion portion 2 and the projecting portion 3 are coupled to each other, the insertion-portion electrodes 6Xa and 6Ya and the projecting-portion electrodes 6Xb and 6Yb become conductive with each other.

The coupler 8 can be fitted over and removed from an outer periphery of the projecting portion 3 of the probe 1 of FIG. 10(a). The coupler 8 of FIG. 10(a) has a ring shape that enables fitting over the outer periphery of the projecting portion 3. As illustrated in FIG. 10(b), the coupler 8 has an internal hole 42 that is tapered downward, and electrodes (coupling electrodes) 43X and 43Y that are formed on an inner surface of the internal hole 42 so as to be opposed to each other.

The probe 1 is disposable regardless of whether the probe 1 is an integrated probe or a disassemblable probe. In this case, an inexpensive material suitable for single use, for example, a resin, a rubber, or paper, is used as a material.

[Coupling of External-Device Coupler to Device Mounting Area]

When the internal hole (fitting hole) 42 of the coupler 8 of FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b) is fitted over an outer periphery of the device mounting area Z of the probe 1, the coupler 8 is coupled to the projecting portion 3 to make the coupling electrodes 43X and 43Y conductive with the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y of the probe 1. Thus, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y become conductive with the coupling electrodes 43X and 43Y and the signal processing unit 10 via the lead wire 9. As a result, the biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y is transmitted to the signal processing unit 10.

In FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b), the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y of the probe 1 are electrically connected to the external device 7 by coupling the coupler 8 onto the device mounting area Z of the probe 1. However, the coupler 8 may be omitted in some cases. In such a case, the lead wire 9 is directly connected to the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y of the probe 1, and a distal end of the lead wire 9 is connected to the external device 7. In this case, the projecting portion 3 to which the lead wire 9 is connected may be repeatedly used, and only the insertion portion 2 may be discarded after single use.

Another Embodiment of Probe

The integrated probe and the disassemblable probe can each be formed of a plurality of members as illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) in terms of productivity. The probe 1 illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) includes a main body portion 45 and two mounted members 46 (mounted members 46X and 46Y). The main body portion 45 includes the base 4 (projecting portion 3) and the expanded portion (insertion portion) 5. The mounted members 46 are mounted onto the main body portion 45.

Two fitting grooves 45Xa and 45Ya, each being longitudinally elongated, are formed in an outer periphery of the base 4 of the main body portion 45 so as to be opposed to each other. Two coupling-portion fitting holes 45 c (FIG. 11(b)) are formed in an inner surface of the both fitting grooves 45Xa and 45Ya of an intermediate portion 45 b between the fitting grooves 45Xa and 45Ya so as to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the base 4.

The mounted members 46X and 46Y include head portions 46Xa and 46Ya and shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb, respectively. The head portions 46Xa and 4 6Ya each have a semi-cylindrical shape. The shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb are formed to protrude downward from the head portions 46Xa and 46Yz in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), respectively. Recessed portions 46Xc and 46Yc, each having a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, are formed on surfaces of the head portions 46Xa and 46Ya, which are opposed to the counterparts of the mounted members 46X and 46Y, respectively. Upper recessed portions 46Xf and 46Yf are formed above the recessed portions 46Xc and 46Yc, and lower recessed portions 46Xg and 46Yg are formed below the recessed portions 46Xc and 46Yc, respectively. Electrode placement portions 46Xd and 46Yd, each extending longitudinally, are formed on arc-shaped surfaces of the head portions 46Xa and 46Ya, respectively.

The shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb are rod-shaped portions to be fitted into the fitting grooves 45Xa and 45Ya of the main body portion 45, respectively. The shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb include coupling portions 46Xe and 46Ye to be coupled to counterparts of the mounted members 46X and 46Y. The coupling portions 46Xe and 46Ye are formed on surfaces of the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb, which are opposed to the counterparts thereof. Two coupling portions 46Xe and two coupling portions 46Ye are formed on the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb in a protruding manner so as to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb, respectively. Each of a distance between the two coupling portions 46Xe and a distance between two coupling portions 46Ye is set to be the same as a distance between coupling-portion fitting holes 45 c of the main body portion 45.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), the two mounted members 46X and 46Y have the same shape. The same shape of the two mounted members 46X and 46Y allows manufacturing of the mounted members 46X and 46Y with use of a single molding die. Thus, manufacturing cost can be reduced. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), the coupling portions 46Xe and 46Ye are formed at positions on the right side with respect to a center of the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb in a width direction (lateral direction), respectively. These positions allow connection of opposed inner surfaces of the coupling portions 46Xe and 46Ye when the two mounted members 46X and 46Y are placed to be opposed to each other.

The sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y, each having a U-like shape in sectional view, are fitted over and held onto outer sides of the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb. The sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y are slid from lower ends (ends opposite to the head portions 46Xa and 46Ya) of the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb to cover the outer sides of the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb. When the mounted members 46X and 46Y are mounted onto the main body portion 45, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y are exposed to an outside.

The main body portion 45 and the two mounted members 46X and 46Y are integrated as illustrated in FIG. 12 in the following manner. The shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb of the mounted members 46X and 46Y are fitted into the fitting grooves 45Xa and 45Ya of the main body portion 45 to couple the coupling portions 46Xe and 46Ye formed on the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb together in the coupling-portion fitting holes 45 c. The upper groove (receiving groove) 22 is defined at a position at which the recessed portions 46Xc and 46Yc of the mounted members 46X and 46Y that are coupled together are opposed to each other. An upper fitting groove 22 a is defined at a position at which the upper recessed portions 46Xf and 46Yf are opposed to each other, and a lower fitting groove 22 b is defined at a position at which the lower recessed portions 46Xg and 46Yg are opposed to each other. The push-in protrusion 36 of the extension arm member 26 is fitted into the upper groove (receiving groove) 22. When the rotation stopper portion 32 (see FIG. 5) is formed in a protruding shape, the rotation stopper portion 32 is fitted into the upper fitting groove 22 a or the lower fitting groove 22 b. The fitting of the rotation stopper portion 32 having a protruding portion into the upper fitting groove 22 a or the lower fitting groove 22 b prevents spinning of the probe 1.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y, each having a U-like shape in sectional view, are illustrated as an example. For example, the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y may be formed by attaching electroconductive films, for example, metallic foils onto outer sides of the shaft-shaped portions 46Xb and 46Yb. Further, in the example of FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), the mounted members 46X and 46Y are coupled together to fix the mounted members 46X and 46Y onto the main body portion 45 as an example. However, the mounted members 46X and 46Y may be individually fixed onto the main body portion 45. Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), the main body portion 45 is formed of one member, and the mounted members 46X and 46Y are formed of two members as an example. However, the main body portion 45 may be formed of two or more members, and each of the mounted members 46 may be formed of one member or formed of three or more members.

[Separation Sheet]

The separation sheet 50 can be mounted onto the base 4 of the probe 1 according to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b). The separation sheet 50 illustrated as an example has a disc-like shape, and has a hole 51 formed in a center. The base 4 of the probe 1 can be inserted into the hole 51. The separation sheet 50 may have a shape other than the disc-like shape. It is preferred that the separation sheet 50 be made of an elastic material to allow close contact with the base 4 that has been inserted or be fixed to the base 4 by suitable means, for example, with an adhesive tape or an adhesive so as to prevent positional misalignment in an axial direction of the base 4 or unintended removal from the base 4. The separation sheet 50 is mounted on an outer side of a periphery of the base 4 of the probe 1 to separate a part of the probe 1, which is closer to the insertion portion 2, and a part of the probe 1, which is closer to the coupler 8, from each other. When the insertion portion 2 is inserted into a body organ as illustrated in FIG. 2, the separation sheet 50 can be placed so as to be in contact with buttocks. The separation sheet 50 receives a body fluid (leakage) that leaks from the body organ and flows down the insertion portion 2 to thereby prevent contact of the body fluid with the projecting portion 3 of the probe 1.

The separation sheet 50 is formed separately from the probe 1, and is mountable to and removable from the base 4 (projecting portion 3) of the probe 1. The separation sheet 5 may be mounted in advance onto the base 4, and may be integrated with the base 4 by another means in some cases. It is preferred that the separation sheet 50 be made of an inexpensive disposable material and have water proofness. The separation sheet 50 may also be made of a soft material that can easily be placed so as to be in contact with buttocks or an elastic material that enables easy mounting around the projecting portion 3. The separation sheet 50, which is made of an elastic material, allows easy insertion of the probe 1 into the hole 51 and prevents unintended removal of the probe 1 from the hole 51 after the insertion of the probe 1.

[Packaged Probe]

The probe 1 and the separation sheet 50 described above can be stored in a package, for example, a packaging bag 52 as illustrated in FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b). The packaging bag 52 illustrated in FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b) is made of a material that allows the packaging bag 52 to be opened with, for example, hands or scissors, and is made of, for example, a resin or paper. When the probe 1 and the separation sheet 50, which are packaged, are used, an upper part of the packaging bag 52 is cut away as illustrated in FIG. 9(b) to allow the separation sheet 50 to be taken out of the packaging bag 52. Then, the projecting portion 3 of the probe 1 that is kept in the packaging bag 52 is directly pushed into the hole 51 of the separation sheet 50 to mount the separation sheet 50 around the probe 1. Next, the coupler 8 (FIG. 5) is mounted onto the device mounting area Z of the probe 1 that is being kept (remaining) in the packaging bag 52 as illustrated in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b). In this case, the separation sheet 50 and the coupler 8 can be mounted without allowing the insertion portion 2 of the probe 1 to be touched by a hand. After use, the coupler 8 is removed from the projecting portion 3 of the probe 1. The probe 1, which has been removed from the body organ, is placed into the packaging bag 52 again with the insertion portion 2 side facing downward. The insertion portion 2 is discarded (after single use) together with the packaging bag 52. The package may be other than a packaging bag, and may be a container made of a thin flexible resin or paper. However, it is preferred that the package be made of a material suitable for single use, for example, paper or a resin film, and have a space-saving shape. The probe 1 alone may be packaged.

The packaging bag 52 may be formed to allow the insertion portion 2 side of the probe 1 to be exposed to the outside. In this case, the projecting portion 3 may be held together with the packaging bag 52 with a hand to allow the insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a body organ. In this case, the insertion portion 2 can be inserted into a body organ without being touched by a hand, and thus is hygienic.

[Signal Processing Unit]

The biosignal detected by the sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y is weak regardless of whether the probe 1 is an integrated probe or a disassemblable probe. Thus, it is difficult to directly process the biosignal with an electromyograph. After the biosignal is amplified and an unnecessary signal (mainly, noise) is removed therefrom in the signal processing unit 10, the biosignal is extracted. The signal processing unit 10 measures a potential difference between the thus extracted biosignal and reference electrodes O (FIG. 13) attached onto a different portion of a body surface, for example, a surface of an abdomen.

An example of the external device 7 to be connected to the probe 1 according to the present invention is an electromyograph. An example of the signal processing unit 10 of the electromyograph is illustrated in FIG. 13. The signal processing unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 13 is the same as a signal processing unit of a general-purpose electromyograph. The signal processing unit includes high-pass filters F1 and F2, amplifiers AMP1 and AMP2, a differential amplifier AMP3, a notch filter F3, a low-pass filter F4, and an analog-digital converter ADC. The high-pass filters F1 and F2 are connected to the two sensing electrodes 6X and 6Y of the probe 1, respectively. The amplifiers AMP1 and AMP2 are configured to amplify signals from the high-pass filters F1 and F2, respectively. The notch filter F3 is configured to block passage of a signal at a specific frequency among signals from the differential amplifier and allow passage of a signal at other frequencies. The low-pass filter F4 is configured to allow passage of a low-frequency signal among signals from the notch filter F3.

[Biofeedback Device]

A biofeedback device according to the present invention includes a monitor 60. As illustrated in FIG. 14(a), the sensing electrodes 6 of the probe 1 and the reference electrodes (electromyograph electrodes) O attached at suitable positions on a body surface are connected to the signal processing unit 10. The signal processing unit 10 is connected to the monitor 60. An image generated based on the biosignal that has been processed in the signal processing unit 10 is displayed on the monitor 60. The same image signal as the image signal is transmitted wirelessly or in a wired manner to a large auxiliary monitor 61 to display an image thereon. The image can be checked (viewed) by a doctor G and a patient H as illustrated in FIG. 14(b) to be used for biofeedback evaluations and treatments. The signal processing unit 10 can also generate perceivable information other than image information, for example, audio information based on the biosignal. The perceivable information described above can be stored in a storage device.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The embodiments described above are each an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In the case of the disassemblable probe, in particular, for example, the coupling and decoupling structure for the insertion portion 2 and the projecting portion 3, the structure (mechanism) and the shape of the coupler 8 configured to allow connection between the projecting portion 3 of the probe 1 and the signal processing unit 10, a coupling structure for the projecting portion 3 and the coupler 8 may be other configurations (mechanisms) as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. Further, the probe 1 illustrated in the drawings may also be inserted into measurement sites other than an anus or a vagina, for example, a urethra or other sites to which the probe 1 can be inserted, and can be used to detect a biosignal of a muscle other than pelvic floor muscles. In this case, the probe 1 is designed to have a shape, a size, and other dimensions that allow easy insertion into the measurement site and prevent unintended removal therefrom. The probe 1 may be used not only to detect the biosignal but also to electrically stimulate various kinds of muscles of body organs. In this case, a device capable of generating a stimulus signal is used as the external device.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 probe

2 insertion portion

3 projecting portion

4 base

5 expanded portion: insertion portion

6, 6X, 6Y sensing electrode

6Xa, 6Ya sensing electrode (of insertion portion): insertion-portion electrode

6Xb, 6Yb sensing electrode (of projecting portion): projecting-portion electrode

7 external device (electromyograph)

8 external-device coupler (coupler)

9 lead wire

10 signal processing unit

11 male coupler member

12 female coupler member

13 (13X, 13Y) male electrode: coupling electrode

14 (14X, 14Y) insertion hole

15 protrusion

16 recessed portion

17 (17X, 17Y) clamping electrode: coupling electrode

18 (18X, 18Y) operating portion

20 (20X, 20Y) electrode protrusion: projecting-portion electrode

21 division groove

22 upper groove: receiving groove

22 a upper fitting groove

22 blower fitting groove

23 lower groove

24 rotation stopping protrusion

25 coupler main body

26 extension arm member

27 fitting hole

27 a regulating protrusion

28 fitting recessed portion

29 fitting plate

30 retaining protrusion

31 (31X, 31Y) electrode protrusion (coupling electrode)

32 rotation stopper portion

33 upper plate

34 lower plate

35 fitting groove

36 push-in protrusion

37 stopper

40 small-diameter portion

41 internal hole (of insertion portion)

42 internal hole (of coupler): fitting hole

43X, 43Y electrode (coupling electrode)

45 main body portion

45Xa, 45Ya fitting groove

45 b intermediate portion

45 c coupling-portion fitting hole

46 (46X, 46Y) mounted member

46Xa, 46Ya head portion

46Xb, 46Yb shaft-shaped portion

46Xc, 46Yc recessed portion

46Xd, 46Yd electrode placement portion

46Xe, 46Ye coupling portion

46Xf, 46Yf upper recessed portion

46Xg, 46Yg lower recessed portion

50 separation sheet

51 hole (of separation sheet)

52 packaging bag

60 monitor

61 auxiliary monitor

A insertion portion

B shaft

C electrode

D signal processing unit

E lead wire (cable)

F handle

G doctor

H patient

O reference electrode

Z device mounting area

ADC analog-digital converter

AMP1, AMP2 amplifier

AMP3 differential amplifier

F1, F2 high-pass filter

F3 notch filter

F4 low-pass filter 

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A probe to be inserted into a body organ to obtain a biosignal, the probe comprising: an insertion portion insertable into a body organ; a projecting portion that is exposed to an outside of a body after the insertion portion is inserted into the body organ; sensing electrodes that detect a biosignal when the insertion portion is inserted into the body organ; and a device mounting area onto which an external-device coupler is removably mounted, wherein the sensing electrodes are provided at least on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion, and become conductive with coupling electrodes of the external-device coupler when the external-device coupler is mounted onto the device mounting area.
 17. The probe according to claim 16, wherein the probe is an integrated probe including the insertion portion and the projecting portion that are integrated with each other or a disassemblable probe including the insertion portion and the projecting portion that are separable from each other, and wherein, when the probe is the integrated probe, the whole probe is disposable, and when the probe is the disassemblable probe, at least the insertion portion is disposable.
 18. The probe according to claim 16, wherein the probe allows mounting of a separation sheet therearound, and wherein the separation sheet has a shape and a size that enable placement of the separation sheet in contact with an outer side of a body corresponding to the body organ into which the probe is inserted when the probe is inserted into the body organ, and is discarded after single use.
 19. The probe according to claim 16, wherein the probe comprises an electromyograph probe configured to detect a biosignal measurable by an electromyograph.
 20. A packaged probe, comprising: the probe of claim 16; and a package configured to contain the probe, wherein the package has a shape and a size that enable individual packaging of the probe, and wherein the shape and the size of the package are such that, when a part of the package is cut away to open the package, the insertion portion or the projecting portion of the packaged probe is exposed to an outside of the package and another one of the insertion portion and the projecting portion of the probe is contained in a remaining part of the package.
 21. An external-device coupler being removably mountable to the probe of claim 16, the external-device coupler comprising coupling electrodes that become electrically conducive with the sensing electrodes of the probe when the external-device coupler is mounted onto the device mounting area of the probe.
 22. A biofeedback device for perceptualizing a biosignal detected by sensing electrodes of a probe, the biofeedback device comprising: the probe of claim 16; a biosignal processing unit configured to process the biosignal obtained by the sensing electrodes of the probe into perceivable information; and a display unit configured to visibly display the processed perceivable information.
 23. The probe according to claim 17, wherein the probe allows mounting of a separation sheet therearound, and wherein the separation sheet has a shape and a size that enable placement of the separation sheet in contact with an outer side of a body corresponding to the body organ into which the probe is inserted when the probe is inserted into the body organ, and is discarded after single use.
 24. The probe according to claim 17, wherein the probe comprises an electromyograph probe configured to detect a biosignal measurable by an electromyograph.
 25. The probe according to claim 18, wherein the probe comprises an electromyograph probe configured to detect a biosignal measurable by an electromyograph.
 26. The probe according to claim 23, wherein the probe comprises an electromyograph probe configured to detect a biosignal measurable by an electromyograph. 